If you've lived in North Dallas for more than one spring, you know what's coming. The skies turn green, the wind picks up fast, and before you've moved the patio furniture inside, a storm has already done its thing. We've seen it firsthand, and we've seen what it does to fences that weren't ready for it.
The ones that hold up are almost always the ones that were checked beforehand. Here's what we'd recommend looking at before storm season arrives.
Start With the Posts
Posts are the foundation of everything. Walk your fence line and give each one a firm push. It should feel completely solid. Any wobble or soft give at ground level is a warning sign. In North Texas, soil movement from heat cycles and rain can loosen posts gradually with no visible signs above ground until a storm makes it obvious. Corner posts and gate posts bear the most load, so start there.
Check the Boards and Panels
Look for warped or cracked boards that could catch wind like a sail, loose boards that rattle in the breeze, rot at the base where wood meets soil, and any gaps that break the fence line. A single loose board might seem minor on a calm day. In a 60 mph North Texas gust, it can pry off and take several neighboring boards with it.
Look at the Hardware
Hinges, screws, and gate latches go unnoticed until something fails. Check that hinges are tight, latches close securely, and nails along the fence line are flush and not backing out. We use stainless steel and hot-dipped galvanized nails on every install because they hold up to North Texas weather far better than standard hardware. If you're noticing rust or loose hardware on an older fence, get it sorted before storm season.
Check Drainage at the Base
After a heavy storm, water pools and sits against your fence base, accelerating rot and loosening footings on posts that look fine from the outside. Make sure the ground slopes away from your fence line and clear any debris or mulch that has built up against the boards. A small adjustment now can prevent a big repair bill later.
Don't Forget the Gate
Gates are the most mechanically complex part of any fence and the most likely to fail under stress. Make sure yours opens smoothly, latches properly, and doesn't drag on the ground. A gate that struggles on a calm day will be a real problem when the wind picks up.
When to Call Us
Tightening a screw or swapping a warped board is something most homeowners can handle. But multiple loose posts, widespread rot, or a gate that's shifted out of alignment are signs your fence needs a professional eye before the next storm.
Our team at Top Rail Fence North Dallas knows North Texas weather firsthand. We'll tell you honestly what needs fixing and what can wait, so you can make the right call for your home and budget.
Schedule an Inspection before storm season hits, see recent repair work we've handled in the area, or visit our fence repair services page to learn more.
